Poems

<h4><SPAN name="A_MARRIAGE_SONG" id="A_MARRIAGE_SONG"></SPAN>A MARRIAGE SONG</h4> <p>Why should we reck of hours that rend<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">While we two ride together?</span><br/> The heavens rent from end to end<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would be but windy weather,</span><br/> The strong stars shaken down in spate<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would be a shower of spring,</span><br/> And we should list the trump of fate<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And hear a linnet sing.</span><br/> <br/> We break the line with stroke and luck,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">The arrows run like rain,</span><br/> If you be struck, or I be struck,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">There's one to strike again.</span><br/> If you befriend, or I befriend,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">The strength is in us twain,</span><br/> And good things end and bad things end,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And you and I remain.</span><br/> <br/> Why should we reck of ill or well<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">While we two ride together?</span><br/> The fires that over Sodom fell<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would be but sultry weather.</span><br/> Beyond all ends to all men given<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our race is far and fell,</span><br/> We shall but wash our feet in heaven,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And warm our hands in hell.</span><br/> <br/> Battles unborn and vast shall view<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our faltered standards stream,</span><br/> New friends shall come and frenzies new.<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">New troubles toil and teem;</span><br/> New friends shall pass and still renew<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">One truth that does not seem,</span><br/> That I am I, and you are you,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And Death a morning dream.</span><br/> <br/> Why should we reck of scorn or praise<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">While we two ride together?</span><br/> The icy air of godless days<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall be but wintry weather.</span><br/> If hell were highest, if the heaven<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Were blue with devils blue,</span><br/> I should have guessed that all was even,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">If I had dreamed of you.</span><br/> <br/> Little I reck of empty prides,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of creeds more cold than clay;</span><br/> To nobler ends and longer rides,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">My lady rides to-day.</span><br/> To swing our swords and take our sides<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">In that all-ending fray</span><br/> When stars fall down and darkness hides,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">When God shall turn to bay.</span><br/> <br/> Why should we reck of grin and groan<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">While we two ride together?</span><br/> The triple thunders of the throne<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would be but stormy weather.</span><br/> For us the last great fight shall roar,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Upon the ultimate plains,</span><br/> And we shall turn and tell once more<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our love in English lanes.</span><br/> <br/><br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />